Maple Leafs Score Four Second Period Goals to Beat Blue Jackets

Four consecutive second period goals powered the Toronto Maple Leafs to a 6-2 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets in Columbus, Ohio, on Tuesday, giving Toronto its second road win of the NHL season. Auston Matthews contributed a goal and an assist in his 700th NHL game as the Maple Leafs pulled away after an even opening period. Easton Cowan and Jack Roslovic each finished with a goal and two assists, while William Nylander recorded a goal and an assist.

Morgan Rielly contributed three assists, and Anthony Stolarz stopped 33 shots to help Toronto secure the win. Kirill Marchenko and Marshall Rifai also scored for Toronto. Jake Christiansen and Charlie Coyle supplied the goals for Columbus, which suffered its fourth loss in five games.

The Blue Jackets continued to struggle in the second period. Through eight games, Columbus had been outscored 15-3 in that period, according to the game report.

Christiansen opened the scoring at 2:38 of the first period with his first goal of the season. Marchenko tied the game at 8:16 with a power-play goal against his former team, drawing persistent boos from Columbus fans during his first visit since being traded. Kent Johnson appeared to restore Columbus' lead with a one-timer, but officials disallowed the goal because time had expired before the shot counted.

Toronto took control early in the second period, with Nylander and Matthews scoring just 46 seconds apart. Matthews entered the game with 16 goals and 27 points in 21 career games against Columbus. Colton Sissons recorded an assist on Nylander's goal, extending his points streak to four games. Cowan then scored a short-handed goal at 6:48 to give Toronto a three-goal advantage.

Roslovic made it 5-1 at 12:03, ending goaltender Jet Greaves' night. Greaves stopped 14 shots before being pulled after conceding his fifth goal, while Cam Talbot allowed one goal on three shots in relief. Coyle cut the deficit to 5-2 at 4:13 of the third period, scoring his first goal of the season with a backhand shot.

Rifai restored Toronto's four-goal cushion with 3:02 remaining, completing the 6-2 result. Toronto will host the New York Rangers on Thursday night. Columbus is scheduled to host Vegas on Saturday.